culture
n
1 the total of the inherited ideas, beliefs, values, and knowledge, which constitute the shared bases of social action
2 the total range of activities and ideas of a group of people with shared traditions, which are transmitted and reinforced by members of the group
the Mayan culture
3 a particular civilization at a particular period
4 the artistic and social pursuits, expression, and tastes valued by a society or class, as in the arts, manners, dress, etc.
5 the enlightenment or refinement resulting from these pursuits
6 the cultivation of plants, esp. by scientific methods designed to improve stock or to produce new ones
7 (Stockbreeding) the rearing and breeding of animals, esp. with a view to improving the strain
8 the act or practice of tilling or cultivating the soil
a the experimental growth of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, in a nutrient substance (see culture medium), usually under controlled conditions
b a group of microorganisms grown in this way
vb tr
10 to cultivate (plants or animals)
11 to grow (microorganisms) in a culture medium (C15: from Old French, from Latin cultura a cultivating, from colere to till; see cult) ♦
culturist n ♦
cultureless adj
canteen culture
n the alleged clannishness of the police force, whereby the prevalent attitudes inhibit officers from reporting or speaking out against malpractice, racism, etc.
corporate culture
n the distinctive ethos of an organization that influences the level of formality, loyalty, and general behaviour of its employees
culture-free test
n a test (usually for intelligence) that does not put anyone taking it at a disadvantage, for instance, as regards material or cultural background
culture medium
n a nutritive substance, such as an agar gel, in which cultures of bacteria and fungi are grown
culture shock
n (Sociol) the feelings of isolation, rejection, etc., experienced when one culture is brought into sudden contact with another, as when a primitive tribe is confronted by modern civilization
culture vulture
n
Informal a person considered to be excessively, and often pretentiously, interested in the arts
organizational culture
n the customs, rituals, and values shared by the members of an organization that have to be accepted by new members
pure culture
n (Bacteriol) a culture containing a single species of microorganism
tissue culture
n
1 the growth of small pieces of animal or plant tissue in a sterile controlled medium
2 the tissue produced as a result of this process